Finding the Golden Ticket: How to get your Research Funded Sue White Professor of Social Work University of Lancaster

Why do you want to do funded research? Because I have great idea and I need time, or to employ researchers to help me to do it Because I have great idea and I need time, or to employ researchers to help me to do it Because my institution tells me I have to Because my institution tells me I have to What is in it for you/your Dept/your colleagues/the world? What is in it for you/your Dept/your colleagues/the world?

Becoming an Academic Don’t get it right just get it written! Don’t get it right just get it written! Believe in what you do. Only chase money of it’s what you want to research – be inventive, read the specifications properly, ‘tweak’ your ideas and use appropriate language – this can be hard in target driven departments Believe in what you do. Only chase money of it’s what you want to research – be inventive, read the specifications properly, ‘tweak’ your ideas and use appropriate language – this can be hard in target driven departments Get your social science right – good intentions don’t attract money Get your social science right – good intentions don’t attract money Don’t be frightened of approaching major funding bodies like ESRC (ignore the scare stories!) – go for modest sums they will take the risk if your idea is good and theory/methods sound Don’t be frightened of approaching major funding bodies like ESRC (ignore the scare stories!) – go for modest sums they will take the risk if your idea is good and theory/methods sound Be wary of negative senior/junior categorizations – they can sap confidence Be wary of negative senior/junior categorizations – they can sap confidence Go to conferences and give papers Go to conferences and give papers

Become a referee Become a referee One excellent way to learn more about what makes a successful application is to review and referee proposals. But remember, be constructive and think about your growing discipline – the ESRC don’t reject applications WE DO!

There are three main aspects to any research proposal: The profile of the researcher – why you/your team? The profile of the researcher – why you/your team? The academic case for the research – what is interesting, important and timely about your research idea and why are you the person to do it; The academic case for the research – what is interesting, important and timely about your research idea and why are you the person to do it; Justification for resources needed and the costs of these - estimating the research time, equipment, and so on that you would need to complete the project successfully, and drawing up a budget. Justification for resources needed and the costs of these - estimating the research time, equipment, and so on that you would need to complete the project successfully, and drawing up a budget.

Background of the applicant Do you or your team possess: Relevant experience and expertise A successful track record in similar research If the answer is ‘no’ then – why are you bidding? If you still want to bid – find a friend! Don’t waste time on futile bids

Making the Academic Case Know your potential funding bodies Know your potential funding bodies Understand their priorities and requirements. Understand their priorities and requirements. Different organisations have different criteria for awarding grants. Different organisations have different criteria for awarding grants. There are often deadlines for applications. There are often deadlines for applications. Some funding bodies offer support for research under particular programmes or research areas, others are responsive to any proposal they receive. Some funding bodies offer support for research under particular programmes or research areas, others are responsive to any proposal they receive.

Which funding body? Is the sponsor likely to offer funding at a sufficient level, and for long enough? If the sponsor will only provide partial funding, can the balance of funding and facilities you require be made available from other sources? Can you meet the application deadlines and are you certain of the application procedures? What is the likelihood of success? Will you have freedom to publish? Govt Depts and Dodgy democracy! Who will have ownership of the results? How far are you prepared to tailor your research to a sponsor’s requirements?

Collaboration Collaboration within and outside your institution can strengthen your bid Collaboration within and outside your institution can strengthen your bid Make sure you are clear about management and accountability within the team. Make sure you are clear about management and accountability within the team.

Discuss your Research Proposal Advice from colleagues who have previously made successful applications and/or who have experience of refereeing proposals Advice from colleagues who have previously made successful applications and/or who have experience of refereeing proposals You may be able to consult a “bank” of previous record applications to help you to frame your proposal. You may be able to consult a “bank” of previous record applications to help you to frame your proposal. Useful to present an outline of your research proposal in an informal seminar, to get reaction from colleagues at an early stage. Useful to present an outline of your research proposal in an informal seminar, to get reaction from colleagues at an early stage.

Methods and Analysis Be clear and detailed – many proposals manage to convince they are relevant and sexy, but don’t detail the methods and form of analysis – read successful proposals

Ethics Ditto – there are fairly stock phrases used by ethics committees – find somewhere to store a bank of them e.g. data storage is an increasingly important matter. Make sure you know which external premissions you’ll need e.g. NHS RECs, RGF.

Costings You can get help with these from your institution You can get help with these from your institution FEC – friend or foe? FEC – friend or foe?

Audience Provide a ‘summary’ in plain English – use a semi-journalistic style in opening paragraphs to grab attention – it must be memorable! Do not assume specialist knowledge – BUT DON’T DUMB DOWN You must convince both the expert referee and the less expert committee member that you have an exciting and feasible idea. Overstate, rather than understate, your point or question - add the conditions and caveats later Make sure the project will complement and not duplicate other people's efforts – so search the literature and cite it!

Referees You can nominate, but they won’t necessarily approach your referee You can nominate, but they won’t necessarily approach your referee Make sure the person you nominate is well respected (don’t be shy!), generous, professionally secure, that you’ve spoken to them or sent a draft and you trust them – professional jealousy should not be under- estimated! Make sure the person you nominate is well respected (don’t be shy!), generous, professionally secure, that you’ve spoken to them or sent a draft and you trust them – professional jealousy should not be under- estimated!

Assessment Criteria Does the applicant meet the eligibility criteria? Does the proposal provide a good fit with the aims of the scheme? Does the subject matter fall within the funding institution’s remit? Does the proposal adopt an appropriate methodology? How significant and important is the project and what contribution will it make? Are there precise aims and objectives Does the proposal address all the evaluation criteria if they are provided? Is the timetable realistic? Is the proposal good value for money? Are there appropriate plans for dissemination? Does the applicant have enough demonstrated experience and knowledge to conduct the research successfully?